Pantheon: Timekeeper – Vanguard
In the latest developer update video, the Ultimate Weapon Pantheon skin was teased, and almost immediately, conspiracy theories about this champion joining Teamfight Tactics surfaced among gamers. The reason is quite simple: Timekeeper is designing a quality champion, and Pantheon is the only one from the latest Ultimate Weapon skin line yet to join the “luck-based game” in season 3.
The question arises: if Pantheon joins Teamfight Tactics, what will his cost and power be? If his abilities are similar to season 1 (meaning the ultimate ability, Skyfall, stuns in a wide area), then Pantheon is likely to be a 5-cost champion and could change the course of the game. If it’s simply a damage-blocking shield like his E ability in League of Legends, then this champion might just be a 3-cost frontline tank.
Akali: Super Technology – Assassin
In the League of Legends Super Skin lineup, there are many assassin-type champions like Pyke or Katarina, but the most suitable for Teamfight Tactics with the Assassin trait is likely Akali. In the description of the Super Skin Akali, it is mentioned that many suspect she is a double agent, not just a cold-blooded killer like Pyke or Katarina.
Moreover, the developers of Teamfight Tactics have admitted that they are looking to reduce the reliance on 5-cost champions in the Super Technology trait. Combining that with the fact that Akali was previously 4-cost and has existed in Teamfight Tactics makes her a fitting candidate.
Illaoi: Rebel – Brawler
The biggest issue with the Rebel trait right now is its over-reliance on a single unit, Aurelion Sol, to be strong. Furthermore, this unit has a very unique trait and build path compared to the rest of the team, so the other 5 Rebel units mainly serve to buy time and hope that the Dragon God will “do all the work”.
What Riot needs is to add a cheap defensive unit to the Rebel lineup so that other key champions like Jinx, Master Yi, or Yasuo have a chance to shine in the mid-game, rather than playing passively and putting all their hopes on Aurelion Sol. The champion that meets all these conditions can only be Illaoi with the Resistance skin, which closely resembles the current appearance of the Rebel trait.
Varus: Dark Star – Marksman
The case for the Dark Star lineup lies in the nature of its power, which is not suited for the current meta. In the early game, Dark Star can’t even be used as a complete team, and units from this trait are only utilized as components of other lineups, such as Jarvan IV in the Shredder team (hype-roll Xayah), Shaco in Pilot – Assassin…
What Dark Star lacks is a unit that can become a strong carry early on, at a reasonable price, without having to wait until the end of the game for a 2-star Jhin or Xerath. Among the champions with Dark Star skins currently, Varus is the most suitable for this criterion, so it wouldn’t be surprising to see this archer appear in Teamfight Tactics 10.12.